Welcome to the School Of Scratch!

Do you want to learn how to scratch DJ?

Would you like to become a Turntablist but don’t know where to begin?

Learning to scratch takes the right combination of knowledge and deliberate practice. Whilst there is no shortcut to this process, what makes all the difference is having the scratch techniques and ways to practice them properly explained and broken down for you step by step.

Whether you have no idea how to begin scratching or if you’re struggling to make progress, I share what I’ve learned throughout the past 14 years during my 1000’s of hours of scratching.

I demystify the art and help you start scratching as simply as possible.

I believe that anyone can scratch, it just takes patience, dedication, and the right amount of focused learning.

That’s why I created School of Scratch.

– Emma Short-E (TBOSDJTITW)

Sometimes, you need to slow down… to speed up.

What is the School of Scratch?

School of Scratch is the definitive online how to scratch course. Learn at your own pace, using clearly broken down, high quality HD scratch tutorial videos, taught by Emma Short-E of Studio Scratches.

Scratch Tutorial Videos from DJ Short-E

High quality scratch video tutorials you’ll love to watch, with each step thoughtfully broken down and made simple, so you can put it into practice right away. Train with QnA practice videos.

Support & Community

Connect with other Scratch DJs in the Discussion Forums. Share your progress and tips and be inspired on your scratch journey! Text chat with other students in real time in the Live Chat. Share content and inspiration in our private Facebook group.

What’s Inside the Classroom?

The classroom is the place to go for highly focused, concentrated scratch tuition in easy to follow courses.

8 Courses:

Course 1 – Equipment Needed (9 videos)

Course 2 – Equipment Set Up (6 videos)

Course 3 – Before you Start Scratching (3 videos)

Course 4 – Scratch Techniques (24 videos)

Course 5 – Scratch Combos (22 videos)

Course 6 – Scratch & Music Theory (5 videos)

Course 7 – Technical Guides (3 Videos)

Course 8 – QnA Training Videos (19 videos)

Each video is fully comprehensive and contains step-by-step instruction, broken down into manageable bite size chunks to make learning as simple and effective as possible.

Watch An Entire Sample Video Tutorial

Courses Breakdown

Course 1 – Equipment Needed

A comprehensive overview of each piece of equipment needed, what it is, why you need it (if it isn’t too obvious) and how it is used in scratching. Simple but essential stuff!

Scratch DJ Equipment Buyers Guide – eBook PDF download.

Turntables – 04:15

Cartridge & Stylus – 02:02

Mixer – 04:02

Slipmats – 02:48

Scratch Vinyl – 02:44

Instrumentals – 04:14

DVS – 02:51

Digital Scratch Records / Samples – 02:09

Amp / Headphones / Speakers – 01:07

9 Videos, Total Time: 26:12

Course 2 – Equipment Set Up

All the information, tips and tricks that you need to set up your equipment for the ultimate silky smooth scratching experience. It covers all the small things that make a BIG difference.

Setup / Plugging In – 03:16

Tone Arm Adjustment For Skip Free Needles – 03:09

Record Hole Adjustment – 03:10

Finding Samples and Marking Records – 03:36

How to EQ Your Records – 01:39

Table Height – 01:12

6 Videos, Total Time: 16:02

Course 3 – Before you Start Scratching

We’re almost ready to get on the tables and start cutting it up, but before we do that, it’s important to first consider a few final things.

Which Hand Should I Use On The Crossfader? – 04:59

Hamster / Reverse vs Regular Crossfader – 04:31

Scratch Notation / TTM – 03:50

3 Videos, Total Time: 13:20

Course 4 – Scratch Techniques

I break down each scratch technique slowly and thoroughly, to give you the best chance of building a solid scratch foundation. The end of each tutorial contains a QnA where I perform the techniques slowly and then leave space for you to copy me.

Course 5 – Scratch Combos

Once you have learnt some of the basic scratch techniques, it’s time to start linking them together into “scratch combos”. I can’t wait to share my favourite combos that I perform in my QnA videos with you.

Military Scratch – 16 mins

Chirp Flare Scratch – 25 mins

See Saws – 17 mins

Boomerang – 21 mins

Swing Flare – 20 mins

2 Click Chirp Flare – 16 mins

Joe Cooley – 26m

A6 Autobahn – 19m

Fast Autobahn – 21m

Slow Autobahn – 25m

A8 Autobahn Minus 5th Sound – 15m

Swing Flare > Dices > Release – 13m

Swingy Boomerang – 12m

Reverse Crab > Tear / Release – 13m

Crab > Dice > Release > Drag > Translice – 20m

3 Click Flare Twist: Twiddle + Extra Click – 12m

Travelling Boomerang / Autobahn > Crabs > Transforms – 15m

Switch Tazer – 10m

BoomFlare – 18m

This section also includes my DJcity.com “Scratch Combo of the Month” series with extra breakdown info and pre-release episodes ahead of schedule:

Baby > Half Chirp > Reverse Dice > Translice – 4m

Half Boomerang > Flare > Crab > Translice – 5m

A6 Autobahn Styles – 6m

3 Click > 1 Click Flare > Whip – 4m

Swing Flare > Dice / Forwards – 4m

Whip > Dice > Drag – 6m

Baby > 2 Click Flare – 4m

Swing Flare Stabs – 6m

Joe Cooley Flares – 6m

Transforms to Swing Flare – 5m

29 Videos, Total Time: 6 hours 27 mins. The scope of this section really is unlimited!

Live Chat

Chat to fellow classmates via text in real time, or jump into the live scratch room and broadcast your practice with your webcam and jam with others. There is also a very active private Facebook group so you can connect and get all the support you need.

About Your Tutor

Emma Short-E has been scratching since the year 2000, when she discovered she had a love for fr-fr-fresh scratching and funky hip hop. After much time spent learning techniques and developing her flow (which wasn’t always easy), she now loves to break things down for anyone that might be struggling with the art. Emma founded Studio Scratches in 2008 and is dedicated to assisting you become excellent at the art of scratching. She has a passion for sharing knowledge and encouraging and inspiring others to achieve their dreams.

Unlimited Lifetime Access = $699

PLUS Bonuses include:

Ultimate Beats for Scratch Practice Download ($70 value)

Ultimate Scratch Samples Download ($25 value)

SoS & Studio Scratches Control Vinyl Labels

FAQ

“I am a complete beginner, I am worried I am not good enough to join.“

Please don’t worry! You are the reason School of Scratch was created! Complete beginners are catered to and walked through the process. You’ll be cutting it up fresh in no time!

“What equipment do I need?”

Course 1 – “Equipment Needed” walks you through the equipment you need to enjoy scratching. Put simply, you need: A turntable with cartridge and stylus, mixer, slipmat and some vinyl to scratch with. If you would like to know more, download my Scratch DJ Equipment Guide. You’ll also need an internet connection to log into the School and watch the videos and interact in the community.

“You scratch hamster and with your right hand on the crossfader, but I scratch regular and / or with my other hand on the fader. Can I still learn and benefit?”

Absolutely! Scratching can be broken down into moving the record backwards and forwards whilst opening and closing the crossfader. Simply take these principles and apply it to whichever hand you use on the crossfader, hamster or regular.

“I use a controller, not turntables + a mixer. Will School of Scratch be right for me?”

Possibly. I teach using turntables and vinyl DVS. Scratching with digital controllers is different than using vinyl, because the platters don’t spin and are so much smaller. However, many controllerists use my tutorials and adapt the basic principles to their digital setup. The art of scratching is really about moving the platters backwards and forwards and turning the crossfader off and on. It’s only the finer subtleties of the moving platter that are missing when you use a controller. I recommend watching the free tutorial on this page to see if you can apply the principles. Both vinyl heads and controllerists are welcome in the school!

“How often are new videos added”

New scratch tutorials are added every month.

“Will you make a tutorial on the super duper uzi triple backflip scratch?”

If I can do the technique well enough to show you, yes! You can suggest techniques to be covered in the community forums.

“Aren’t there free scratch tutorial videos on YouTube I can watch and learn from?”

Yes, however, the School of Scratch is a dedicated place to learn from professionally recorded, high quality videos, in an order that makes the most sense. You won’t have to search to find what’s next or piece together incomplete information. You’ll also benefit from being around myself and a positive community to support your scratch journey. After all, scratching is so much more than just techniques!

“Do you have any advanced techniques?”

Studio Scratches is currently focused towards beginners / intermediates, but all levels are welcome! If you are more advanced – don’t forget the QnA section where you can jam along, or you can hang out in the forums or live chat and even help others! More advanced techniques will be added as time progresses. I can’t wait!

“Is there any minimum commitment or lock-in on the monthly membership?”

No, absolutely not. You can cancel anytime. I work hard every month on the content and in the community to make your membership valuable to your scratch journey, but I understand if you need to leave at any time.

“I have another question…”

Testimonials

As a teacher, Short-E has the very rare quality of being both highly proficient as an artist, while also able to break down technique to its most rudimentary core.

Even the most inexperienced novice will find her step-by-step method, clarity and simplified focus very easy to follow.

Yet, amidst her fundamental descriptions one finds a treasure trove of absolutely essential information that would still be of great value to even the most seasoned DJ.

Suckertash – Canada

I’ve been aware of TTM for some time, I’ve even visited the TTM sites you showed and others like it. Your TTM video and animation just made it clear to me in less than 3 min. Wow!

DJ Danny Dred – USA

In my opinion, there are two ingredients needed to get good on the cut:

#1 Serious dedication to put lots of time into scratching.
#2 Information.

Short-e has put together a wickedly well layed out, clear and functional school to get you the information on scratching you are looking for.

Wanna get good? You deal with #1, Short-e deals with #2. Cut it up Fresh.

DarcyD – Canada (Scratch Mobile)

I’ve been a big fan of Short-e since I discovered her on YouTube. This is very neat, clean, easy to navigate, easy to understand with step by step training tutorials explaining and showing you everything you need to know about scratching, starting from scratch.

The question and answers section is an excellent way to practice your kutz!!

I highly recommend this school of scratch for those starting out, seeking inspiration or wanting a positive and friendly tutor to help with all your scratch needs. I’m excited to see students sign up to this!

Kitty Kutz – New Zealand

If you want to learn how to Scratch… then look no further! Short-E breaks everything down very simply and easily and covers just about everything you need to know – from setting up your equipment, what records to buy and of course, fully explaining the scratch techniques.

I wish I had something like that when I started out. It would have made life a lot simpler and would have learnt a LOT faster! Keep it up SOS!

Mista Ed – New Zealand / UK ( Return Of The DJ Vol. V)

In the School of Scratch, Short-E has designed a comprehensive and accessible forum for learning how to scratch and learn about all things related to scratch.

The course is designed for people that want to use vinyl and/or controllers.

Each lesson provides users with extended break downs of each scratch (i.e the chirp or flare scratches) in slow and manageable pieces. The lesson will then go on to develop the scratch showing users what you should be heading for in terms of sound with the understanding that each person brings their own sound and swing to each cut.

Short-E ain’t no dope – she’s mad good on the cuts!! At the end of the lesson there is a question and answer slot which is great to bounce rhythms off.

The scratch teaching process is well thought out, linear and very easy to follow, being able to build on learnt skills. It’s surprising how quickly you’re able to get it. As each lesson is broken down into its incremental parts so is the course as a whole. Learning to do one scratch, then another then leads on to developing various combos. I’m serious – Short-E will show you all the secrets of being able to scratch including how to develop ‘deliberate practice’.

Another thing that the package provides is access to a bunch of like minded people, people that wanna learn how to scratch. Short-E’s natural enthusiasm has bought together a scratch community where people are able to bring their cuts to either a live scratch lounge or to be uploaded in the forum. Members are able to provide constructive appraisal of others work. This is so important, it helps people develop the ability to play out and to have another (appreciative and knowing) ear can reflect what work could be done to develop the scratch.

I cannot emphasise enough that this is done in a place which is genuinely safe, constructive and positive, unlike other arenas of the interweb where you get people hating on, this reflects the whole ethos of the schools values, shared learning and mutual respect, I’ve not come across any mad ego here. There are forums to connect with like minded individuals, share inspirational vids, share tricks etc to.

I wouldn’t look anywhere else in terms of price, cogency of lessons and accessibility to a good bunch of people and well laid out website for the complete scratch package.

This is an awesome package which will develop your musical understanding as well as your cuts. See you at the DMC!